Ticket vending apparatus



p 2, 1969 R. HIRSCH 3,464,302

TICKET VENDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROGER HIQSCH Sept. 2, 1969 Filed Sept. 3. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I em ' INVENTOQ ROGER HIRSCH mm 7 am ditty.

Sept. 2, 1969 R. HIRSCH TICKET VENDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 5, 1965 !ll Illl'llfllil v:4 A r p 2, 1969 R. HIRSCH 3,464,302

TICKET VENDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 2, 1969 R. HIRSCH TICKET VENDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 5, 1965 INVENTOR ROGER HIRSCH mZm'FM (ditty.

United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Ticket vending apparatus including a ticket vendor and a remote control selector, wherein a ticket is exposed for writing thereon upon opening of a gate, the closing of which advances the ticket to a cut-off station for dispensing same to the customer.

The invention relates to improvements in a ticket vending apparatus and is more particularly concerned with the novel construction and assembly of a combination ticket vendor console and customer controlled ticket vending unit.

The apparatus embodying the present invention includes a remote control or selector unit under the control of an operator. This unit is electrically connected to a normally locked ticket vending apparatus used by a customer. In use, a customer pays to the operator a requisite sum of money for a specified number of tickets. The operator then dials the number of purchased tickets on the selector unit which conditions the ticket vending apparatus for the delivery to the customer of the number of tickets purchased. When the ticket vending apparatus or unit is thus conditioned, the customer opens a normally closed and locked gate on the ticket vending unit, which exposes a first ticket of a series of tickets contained on a continuous Web. He writes the requisite data thereon, such as his name and address, and then closes the gate. Closing of the gate operates mechanism that advances the filled in ticket to a cut-off station, where it is severed from the strip. This advance of r the ticket web positions a next succeeding ticket beneath the gate. Assuming that two tickets have been purchased, and dialed, the gate can be reopened by the customer permitting the writing on the second ticket. Following this, the gate is reclosed to advance that ticket to the cut-off station. If more than two tickets have been purchased, the foregoing operations are repeated until the number of tickets purchased and dialed by the operator has been obtained by the customer, at which time the gate is locked closed to prevent further operation.

Briefly, the control or selector unit comprises a manually actuated dial which controls operation of a stepper switch which functions to energize a release solenoid in the apparatus operable to unlock the gate. The unlocked gate can now be opened by the customer. When opened, an open limit switch is closed to release the highest number switch closed in the stepper switch, thus stepping said switch down one unit, and to also actuate a counter mechanism arranged in the control unit. After writing on the ticket, the closing of the gate causes the ticket feed mechanism to operate to advance the ticket to the cut-ofi mechanism and deliver same to the customer. The selector unit includes a reset button that can be manipulated to clear the stepper switch should the operator have dialed too many tickets. These operations and the circuitry thereof will be treated in greater detail hereinafter.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel ticket vending unit and a novel control unit therefor.

Another object is to provide a novel ticket vending unit embodying novel mechanism for feeding continuously collated original and transfer webs into position to receive original writing thereon, and to then discharge the original from the unit.

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Another object is to provide a novelty constructed control unit for a ticket vending apparatus.

Another object is to provide a completely portable combination self-contained vending unit and control unit in which sequential operation of the vending unit is controlled by pre-setting of the control unit.

Another object is to provide, in apparatus of the character referred to, a simplified self-contained electrical system for control of all operations thereof.

Another object is to provide apparatus that is completely automatic and fool-proof in operation, simple to construct, inexpensive to manufacture and operate, and highly efficient for the purpose intended.

The structure by means of which the above noted and other advantages and objects of the invention are attained will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ticket vending unit, showing the housing removed.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the ticket vending unit, taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of the control unit, showing the outer casing removed.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the control unit, showing the casing removed.

FIG. '6 is a detail end elevational view of the cut-off mechanism, viewed along line 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the electric circuitry, showing the components in positions assumed at the beginning of an operating cycle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the web hold-down device.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure of the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the ticket vending unit 11 is enclosed in a casing 12 that is substantially box-shaped and has a rectangular opening 13 in its top wall. The opening is closed normally by a gate 14 movable from a normally closed and locked position into an open position so as to enable a customer to gain access to and write upon a ticket that is located inside the casing beneath said opening. The front wall of said casing has a discharge opening 15 through which the ticket is dispensed to the customer via a chute 16.

Arranged at a location remote from the ticket vending unit 11 and connected thereto by a multi-wire cable 17, is a control or selector unit 18. This unit has on its front face a selector dial 19 and a plurality of indicating lamps 21 arranged around the dial. This unit 18 is under the control of an operator who dials a required number to condition the apparatus for the delivery to a customer of a requisite number of tickets. A counter mechanism 22 is mounted on said control unit. These units 11 and 18 will be described insofar as their mechanical structure is concerned before entering into a detailed discussion of the electric circuitry of the apparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 disclosing the ticket vending unit 11, said unit comprises a base 23 upon which is mounted the shell or casing 12. The casing includes a bin 24 in which is arranged, in an accordian folded manner, a collated original and transfer web of tickets 25 which are, as is customary, perforated along one or both margins so as to be received over and fed by a toothed drum 26 mounted on a rotatable shaft 27 journalled in upstanding inner walls 28. The collated ticket web 25 passes over a table 29 located beneath the casing opening 13 and is accessible for writing thereon through said opening when the gate 14 is moved from the closed position shown in FIG. 3 into the open position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. As the web is advanced over the drum 26, during machine operation, the original or ticket Web 25a is delivered to a cut-off mechanism 31 and is discharged into the chute 16 for delivery to the customer through opening 15. The transfer web 25b is carried back into the casing and is deposited in a storage bin 32, normally closed by a removable locked door 33.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the gate 14 includes a pair of wide downwardly extending bearing flanges 34 that overlie the upstanding walls 28 and which are pivotally secured to said walls at their lower extremities, as at 35. One of the upstanding walls 28 mounts a large diameter gear 36. This gear lies in front of the related gate flange 34 and it carries on its face a series of mutually spaced circumferentially arranged studs 37. The said related gate flange 34 has a pawl 38 pivoted thereon, as at 39, which is disposed to cooperate with studs 37.

It should be apparent at this time that when the gate 14 is moved from an open position (dotted linesFIG. 2) into the closed position shown in full lines, the pawl 38 will engage with one of the studs 37 and rotate the gear 36 one-fifth of a revolution. A pinion 41 meshes with said gear 36 and this in turn meshes with a gear 42 carried firmly on the forwardly protruding end of drum shaft 27. Thus, the drum is rotated each time the gate is closed to advance the ticket web a distance comparable to the length of one ticket.

Movement of the gate 14 from open to closed position, and vice versa, is effected manually. However, it normally is locked closed and is released only when the machine is conditioned for operation and use. This locking comprises mechanism including a rack 43 (FIG. 2) carried firmly by the gate structure and which has normally engaged with it a trigger 44 pivoted at 45. A spring 46 maintains such engagement. In order to release the rack to permit manual opening of the gate, a solenoid 47 is energized, by means described hereinafter, to withdraw its armature that is operably connected at 48 to said trigger, whereupon the trigger moves into a disengaged position.

When the ticket has been advanced by the drum 26, it is carried into position to be severed from the strip by the cut-off mechanism 31. This mechanism comprises a knife blade 49 pivoted at one end, as at 51, and having its other end connected to one end of a link 52, the other end of which is connected to a pivotally mounted arm 53. The arm 53 has connection with the armature of a solenoid 78. When the solenoid is energized, immediately following feeding of a ticket to the cut-off mechanism, the knife blade 49 is pulled downwardly to shear the ticket along a shearing edge 55 underlying the ticket web. The ticket then falls into chute 16.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the transfer web 25b continues for a distance around the drum and is stripped from said drum by a stripper 56 and is delivered into the bin 32. When the last ticket is dispensed from the machine, a micro-switch 57, connected in the electric control circuit as described hereinafter, moves into open position to cut off current to the apparatus and lock the gate closed.

A web hold-down device 95, which includes a rolled end 98 adaptable to pivotally mount on a shaft secured to wall 28, an aperture 97 to allow teeth 26a on drum 26 to turn thereunder, and fingers 96 adaptable to bear against closed casing 12, acts to guide and retain the ticket web 25 in alignment over teeth 26a. When casing 12 is open, the fingers may be pivoted upwardly to allow the web to be arranged over the drum.

The mode of operation and function of the various components of the apparatus can best be described upon reference to the circuitry disclosed in FIG. 7.

When the dial 19 is manually rotated to condition the machine for dispensing a selected number of tickets, for example two tickets, the wiper 61 is advanced from a zero position to the position selected by the dial. Specifically, as the dial is rotated, while dialing, a switch 65a in switch assembly 65 opens and closes for each number dialed. As is known this alternate opening and closing of switch 65a advances the wiper 61 to the station selected. As soon as wiper 61 steps from 0 to #1 position, master relay 62 which is normally energized through positive line 63, wiper 61 and line 64 to ground, is deenergized to close normally closed associated switches 62a and 62b. Also during rotation of the dial, solenoid 66 is energized to open a normally closed switch 67.

When dialing is completed, the switch 65a returns to its normal closed position and solenoid 66 is then deenergized to return switch 67 to its closed position to allow current to flow from feed line 68, bottom switch 87b, line 71, through closed switch 67, lines 72, 73 to a normally closed limit switch 74 located for engagement by the closed gate, and normally held closed by said gate. Current flows from switch 74 through lines 75 and 76 to a closed switch 77 which returns current back to a knife actuating solenoid 78 through line 79. Energization of said solenoid 78 operates the knife 49. At the end of the cutting stroke of said knife, a normally open cut-off limit switch 81 is closed. Current then flows through said switch 81 through lines 82, 83 to a solenoid coil 84 which actuates a normally closed switch 85a of switch assembly 85, to step back the wiper one station and conditions the machine for dispensing the number of tickets actually dialed.

Now, with the solenoid 84 energized, switch 85b is closed to maintain the solenoid 84 energized during which time a switch 85a is closed to permit routing of current through line 86 to a closed switch element 87a of a reset switch 87 and back to solenoid 78. At the same time switch 85b closes and energizes the gate latch solenoid 47 to unlock the gate latch 44. In this instance current flows from main line 68, switch 87b, line 71, switch 67, lines 72, 73, 88, a normally closed switch 89, and line 76 to solenoid 47, and then back through lines 82 etc., to ground. The gate can now be opened by the customer.

After writing on the ticket exposed beneath the gate opening, the gate is closed by the customer and this deenergizes solenoid 47 and reverses a switch 91 to actuate the counter 21 connected thereto through lead line 92. Closing of the gate 14 again closes limit switch 74 which reestablishes the electric circuit to the knife solenoid 78 to actuate the knife and sever the ticket from the strip of tickets.

Immediately after this occurs, solenoid 84 is deenergized opening switches 81 and 85a to deenergize the knife solenoid 78 permitting the knife to return to open position.

If there are tickets dialed and remaining to be dispensed, the cycle is repeated beginning with the unlocking of the gate block 44 through reenergization of its solenoid 47. After the last ticket dialed is purchased and the gate closed, the circuit to the gate latch solenoid 47 is interrupted by return of the wiper 61 to zero. During machine operation, so long as tickets remain to be vended, a signal lamp 93 connected in line 88 remains lighted.

When the last ticket in the machine has been vended'. a normally closed sold-out switch 89 opens to cut the supply of current to the gate solenoid 47 and lamp 93.

As noted hereinabove, when it is desired to manually step down the stepper as when more tickets have been dialed than requested, or for any other reason, the resetswitch 87 is operated manually. This closes the top switch element 87a thereof and opens the bottom switch element 87b thereof thus routing current to solenoid 84 through its switch 85a thus energizing said solenoid which functions to open and close switches 85a, 85b until selector wiper has returned to zero.

Also, if desired, a digital counter 94 connected in parallel with lights (only some leads illustrated) may be arranged on the selector unit for viewing by both customer and operator.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of the structure disclosed may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

I claim:

1. In portable apparatus for automatically vending one or more tickets from a strip of tickets comprising a selector unit and a dispensing unit, said dispensing unit having an opening therein beneath which said tickets are fed, a gate closing said opening, an electric stepper switch in said selector unit, means to set said stepper switch at a selected position from zero, means normally locking said gate in closed position, said stepper switch operating to actuate said means to unlock the gate to permit its being moved into an open position, and means operable when the gate is returned to closed position to advance a succeeding ticket into place beneath said opening and to step down the stepper switch, said stepper switch being effective to retain the gate unlocked to permit successive openings thereof so long as the stepper switch has not stepped down to zero.

2. In portable apparatus for automatically vending a predetermined number of tickets from a strip of tickets comprising a selector unit and a ticket dispensing unit having a normally closed and locked gate, said selector unit including a digital selector element, electric means operable in response to manipulation of the selector element to unlock said gate whereby it may be opened by a user, means responsive to closing of said gate to advance the strip of tickets toward a discharge opening,

and means to sever a ticket from said strip.

3. In portable apparatus for automatically vending one or more tickets from a strip of tickets comprising a selector unit and a ticket dispensing unit, said dispensing unit having an opening therein beneath which said strip of tickets is fed, a normally locked gate closing said opening, electric means in the selector unit operable to select the number of tickets to be vended during apparatus operation, means operable to unlock said gate and hold it unlocked during vending of the selected number of tickets, and means operable when the gate is closed after the last of said selected tickets is vended for relocking same.

4. In the apparatus recited in claim 3, in which the gate unlocking means includes a solenoid connected in the circuit of the selector unit.

5. Ticket vending apparatus comprising a casing including a table over which tickets contained in a strip are individually passed, an opening in said casing over said table and through which a first ticket may be viewed, a gate normally closing said opening, means normally locking said gate in closed position, electric means operable to unlock said locking means whereby the gate can be moved into a position away from said opening, feed means for a said strip of tickets, and means operable when the gate is moved into closed position to operate said feed means to advance said strip of tickets to locate the next succeeding ticket beneath said opening, and means operable to sever the first ticket from said strip of tickets.

6. The ticket vending apparatus recited in claim 5, in

which the feed means comprises a drum over which said strip of tickets is advanced, rotatable drive means for said drum, and a pawl on said gate engageable with said drive means.

7. The ticket vending apparatus recited in claim 5, in which control means to actuate the electric means to unlock the gate locking means is remoted from said apparatus.

8. The ticket vending apparatus recited in claim 5, in which switch means is provided to cut off electric current to the gate locking means when the last ticket in said strip of tickets has passed over said table.

9. Ticket vending apparatus comprising a casing including a table over which tickets contained in a strip are individually passed, an opening in said casing for partially exposing a first ticket, a drum over which said strip of tickets is advanced, hold down means for guidingand aligning said strip of tickets over the drum, rotatable drive means, including related gear, pawl and stop means, for rotating said drum to locate a succeeding ticket beneath said opening, locking and unlocking mechanism for said drive means for locating said drum in selected position relative to said opening, and a cutter operable with the drive means to sever the first ticket from said strip of tickets when said succeeding ticket is located beneath said opening.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 1, in which the selector unit is remote from the dispenser unit.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 1, in which means is provided to sever a selected ticket from the strip of tickets.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 1, in which electromechanical means controls locking of the gate.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 2, in which the selector unit is remote from the dispensing unit.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 2, in which the means for advancing the strip of tickets comprises pawl means on the gate and a strip feed drum engageable by said pawl.

15. In portable apparatus for automatically vending tickets, a ticket dispensing unit having gate means for exposing a surface and means to advance and discharge one or more of a series of tickets, and a selector unit remote from the ticket dispensing unit including a digital selector element for locking and unlocking the gate means and controllmg the number of tickets to be advanced and discharged from said ticket dispensing unit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,264,647 12/1941 Stearns 226- X 3,006,538 10/ 1961 Deutsch 226-135 X 3,125,269 3/1964 McGraw et al. 226-135 X 2,321,545 6/1943 Dodegge 83-67 2,575,606 11/1951 Walse 194-9 2,757,730 8/ 1956 Hempel 83-243 2,805,675 9/ 1957 Noyes 133-4 2,957,567 10/ 1960 Doud 194-10 3,130,887 4/1964 Campbell et a1 83-242 X 3,273,914 9/1966 Wagner 194-10 X JAMES M. MEISTER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

